The Gospel N Pop Culture – Hero
As we look at pop culture it is vitally important for us to remember the gospel is the single most complete story of what pop culture emulates. The gospel resonates because it addresses the basic needs of all people: love, brokenness, the need of a hero, trust, and our longing for a happy ending. These needs are completely summed up in the Gospel. (see list below) In this series we are attempting to build on the foundations established in pop culture. Stories of love can be pointed back to God’s love, stories of brokenness, can be pointed back to our brokenness due to sin, and today we look at the stories that are created around the hero.
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Pop Culture’s Storyline |
The Gospel |
Scripture |
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Love:
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God Loves Me |
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 |
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Brokenness: |
I Have Sinned |
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 |
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Hero:
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Christ Died for Me |
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 |
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Trust: |
If I Believe |
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. Acts 16:31 |
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Happy Ending:
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I Will Go to Heaven |
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13 |
As Christians we are given an opportunity to speak into pop culture and point people to the ultimate hero. Jesus Christ. Consider the section of scripture found in Colossians 1. Does this sound like the type of hero the world longs for? Without our willingness to engage the culture and share the gospel the closest any individual may ever get to understanding what a true hero can be is James Bond or Super Man. Neither of which begins to compare to the preeminence of Christ Jesus.
Colossians 1:15-18
The Preeminence of Christ
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
He is God…
When we see Jesus, we see God. Every action, reaction, thought, deed, expression, or conversation of Jesus is God
He is Before the Beginning…
Jesus predates everything. His authority supersedes all things.
He is the creator…
Jesus fashioned every fiber of visible and invisible creation together.
He holds all things together…
Jesus not only created everything, but without his desire for creation to exist it would cease to exist. We are alive today because he wants us to be.
He has defeated sin and death…
Because of Jesus sin and death have no power over the life of a Christian. This means we can walk in confidence knowing that our lives are at peace with the world, the heavens, and with God.
He is preeminent…
All fame and glory are Christ’s and Christ’s alone. Not one thing is outside of his reach. Not one thing is more powerful than he. He is the ultimate hero.
Keep the Conversation Going:
Think
What hit home with you?
Reflect
Who do you know that you could share the gospel with, or build on their foundations with gospel truths?
Encourage Someone
Take the time to let someone know how much his or her life has exemplified the gospel?
